Articles from the June 24, 2020 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 19 of 19

  • City approves budget

    DAVID MARTIN, Publisher|Jun 24, 2020

    The Green River City Council approved the city’s annual budget last week, but not without budgeting for decreased revenues related to the coronavirus pandemic. While the city funded all of its community service grants at 2019 levels and maintained employee salaries, the budget was based on $750,000 a month in revenue versus $850,000 in 2019. Overall, $5.4 million in cuts were made to the $16.9 million budget. Most of those cuts were in capital projects, which amounted to $4.2 million of the c...

  • Southwest Counseling receives grant

    Shay Mahana, Intern|Jun 24, 2020

    Southwest Counseling Services recently received a $486,458 grant to combat substance abuse and suicide. During the Sweetwater County commissioners meeting last week, Laura Schmid-Pizzato, a representative of SCS, announced they intend to use the grant funding for a community prevention service. This service will target specific areas such as underage drinking, adult binge drinking, tobacco, opioids and other drugs and suicide. With the extra funding, SCS hopes to see a decrease in risk behaviors. Data on these types of behavior is gathered by s...

  • Mosquito abatement starts in Green River

    Jun 24, 2020

    Mosquito prevention measures have started in Green River. The city’s parks and recreation department has already begun to place “BTI biscuits” in areas of standing water on city property. These biscuits prevent mosquito larvae from developing and becoming biting adults. This week, aerial applications of a granule called Vecotbac will commence over large areas of standing water in and around the city. The active ingredient in Vectobac is naturally occurring, safe for municipal use, and targets mosquito and fly larvae. As biting adult mosqu...

  • A queen seeks her crown

    DAVID MARTIN, Publisher|Jun 24, 2020

    Bree McMullan is no stranger to beauty pageants. Bree's youngest daughter, Rylie, was crowned the 2019-2020 Baby Miss All American Girl for Wyoming and earned the national photogenic award while competing at the All American Girl National Finals last year. Bree's two other daughters compete on the pageant circuit as well and pageants are something Bree's in-laws have a lot of experience competing in. When the opportunity to become Mrs. Sweetwater County arose, Bree decided to jump into the... Full story

  • Interest in Red Desert parcels heats up

    DAVID MARTIN, Publisher|Jun 24, 2020

    There's a sudden interest in buying land found in the Red Desert, as evidenced by an increasing number of calls to the Sweetwater County Land Use Department. "We get quite a few calls," Stephanie Muckley, administrative assistant for the department said. Call volumes range from a few each week to several per day, all of which come from outside Wyoming. Jim Zimmerman, the code enforcement specialist for the department, said he has spoken with people who blindly bought parcels without looking at...

  • Larence Milton Beck

    Jun 24, 2020

    Larence Milton Beck, age 87, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2020 in Logan, Utah. Milton was born on September 22, 1932 to Larence Reuben and Beatrice Eudora (Edwards) in Vernal, Utah and grew up in McKinnon, Wyoming. He graduated from Vernal High School in 1951 and served a mission to California for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1954 to 1956. He was drafted into the army during the Korean War and served from 1956 - 1958 in the 85th infantry regiment while stationed in...

  • On alert

    Jun 24, 2020

  • New visitors center opening

    Jun 24, 2020

    Sweetwater Country Travel and Tourism will open its new visitor center at 1641 Elk Street in Rock Springs July 1. The center will host a grand opening celebration, scheduled from 4-6 p.m. The new center will serve as a hub to provide information on the attractions and amenities in Sweetwater County. The new center will be in addition to the Rock Springs and Green River Chamber Visitor centers and will operate with the same focus. Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism has partnered with and provided funding, to both chambers of commerce for...

  • Burd announces HD 60 campaign

    Staff Report|Jun 24, 2020

    Green River resident Mike Burd has announced that he is running for Wyoming House District 60. The seat is held by Democrat John Freeman, who will be retiring. “People are tired of seeing legislators spend all of their time focusing on issues that have little to do with what happens around kitchen tables in Wyoming,” Burd said. “Working families want good jobs with fair pay. They want their kids to have good schools to attend that are preparing them for the future. And we have to fix healthcare in Wyoming. Our insurance is the most expen...

  • Robert Joseph Richards

    Jun 24, 2020

    Robert Joseph Richards (RJ); 87, Warren resident, passed away Sunday morning, June 14, 2020, at Fraser Villa Nursing home in Fraser. Robert was born on February 11, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan, a son of late Herbert and Heloise Richards. He graduated from Cooley High School. He also attended the University of Detroit where he received his degree in Engineering. After college, Robert proudly served in the United States Coast Guard. He was a devoted husband for 63 years to his wife, Marilyn, who...

  • Elsie Lee

    Jun 24, 2020

    Elsie Lee, 99, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at her home in Green River, Wyoming. She was a resident of Green River for 85 years and is a former resident of Burnt Fork, Wyoming. Mrs. Lee was born on June 12, 1920 in Lehi, Utah; the daughter of William Fred Stoll and Emily Vaughn. She attended schools in Lehi, Utah and Burnt Fork, Wyoming. Elsie graduated in 1939 from Lincoln High School in Green River, Wyoming. Mrs. Lee married Charles Gilbert Lee on May 26, 1939 in Green River, and he...

  • A landmark decision for equality

    Shay Mahana, Intern|Jun 24, 2020

    A great stride was made in the efforts of workplace equality June 15. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Gerald Bostock, Donald Zarda and Aimee Stephens, all victims of discrimination and unjust firing. Bostock worked as a child advocate for Clayton County, Georgia. Bostock loved his job and had no problems in the workplace, until he was fired shortly after joining a gay recreational softball team. He sued his former employer in 2016, but it took years for the suit to travel through the court system. While waiting for his case to reach a...

  • Wyoming's beauty can be found in the most unexpected places

    DAVID MARTIN, Publisher|Jun 24, 2020

    It’s taken 36 years, but I’ve finally visited Yellowstone. I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to visit, especially being a Wyoming native. I would assume it’s almost mandatory for anyone who consider themselves a true resident of the Cowboy State. In fact, people have been genuinely surprised when I’ve casually mentioned I hadn’t visited the park. “But, you live in Wyoming,” was the common response, almost as if I shouldn’t call myself a Wyoming native because I hadn’t seen the park’s natura...

  • Letter: Food bank donations go a long way for residents

    Jun 24, 2020

    Dear Editor, We all know someone who might have trouble providing food for their family. With the coronavirus pandemic causing layoffs throughout Sweetwater County, the demands on the Sweetwater County Food Bank are only increasing. Donating to the food bank doesn’t mean cleaning out the pantry or buying cans of food to donate for a food drive. In fact, donating money to the food bank is the most effective way to donate. Through the Food Bank of the Rockies, the bank can purchase food at prices much lower than what we pay at the grocery store,...

  • Will the Wyo, GOP let anonymous actors define it?

    Kerry Drake, Wyofile.com|Jun 24, 2020

    Republicans used to vastly outnumber Democrats in the Wyoming Legislature. Their 77-12 super-majority seemed destined to last forever. But if you ask a shadowy political group organized last year, the margin has suddenly narrowed to 21-12 — without the Democrats picking up a single seat. “WyoRINO” has proclaimed that only 14 House members and seven state senators actually have real Republican values. The group has branded all the others “Republicans in Name Only,” claiming they’re just fakes. Sound crazy? That’s because it is. Scary, too, i...

  • Lawmakers hear grim fiscal news from CREG chair

    Katie Roenigk, Riverton Ranger Via Wyoming News Exchange|Jun 24, 2020

    RIVERTON — The state will enter a “cash negative situation” by the end of 2020 unless huge budget cuts are made, revenue experts told the Joint Appropriations Committee. A 7-10 percent cut would allow the state to pay its bills through the beginning of 2021, Consensus Revenue Estimating Group co-chair Don Richards said in response to a question from Wyoming Sen. Eli Bebout, R-Riverton, who co-chairs the JAC. “There (would) be sufficient cash flow to get to the general session,” Richard said, referring to the regular meeting of the Wyoming L...

  • Senate, House hopefuls discuss energy

    Gregory Hasman, Gillette News Record Via Wyoming News Exchange|Jun 24, 2020

    GILLETTE — The COVID-19 pandemic, health care and the future of the energy industry were among the topics addressed at the first Campbell County League of Women Voters candidate forum of the local primary election season. Most of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives hopefuls answered questions from a panel at the Gillette City Council chambers Friday. There are 10 Senate candidates who want to replace U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyoming, who is not running for reelection this year. For the Democrats, they are Kenneth Casner, Mirav B...

  • Western announces commencement parade Saturday

    Jun 24, 2020

    Western Wyoming Community College will host its first Virtual Commencement Ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday. Immediately following the ceremony, students, families and community members are invited to cheer on the graduates in the Mustang Stampede Parade. Western Class of 2020 Graduates and their immediate families will be invited to gather in their vehicles in Western’s Aquatic Center parking lot and tune in to the commencement ceremony which will be aired on Mustang Radio on 91.3 FM. When each graduate’s name is announced, attendees are inv...

  • A relaxing slide

    Jun 24, 2020